Envelope-filling machine



April 28, 1931. Y E. L. BOUTON 1,803,049

ENVELOPE FILLING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 13, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY.

April 28, 1 931. E. BOUTON 1,803,049

ENVELEPE FILLING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 13, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENJS'OR:

A TTORNE Y.

April 28, 1931. E. BOUTON' 1,803,049

ENVELOPE FILLING MACHiNEL Original Filed Ct- 13, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 5IN VEN TOR. ZZdrz'd 2.1301123,

A TTORN E Y.

April 28, 1931. B UT N 1,803,049

ENVELOPE FILLING MACHINE Original Filed 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 6'0 9 fl[1' i INVENTOR.

A TTORNE Y.

April 28, 1931. E BOUTON 1,803,049

ENVELOPE FILLING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 15, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Pw 6 75 5m 6 INVEN TOR.

EYoZrid LBoufon,

A TTORNE Y.

Fatented pr. 28, 1931 PATENT OFFICE ELDRID L. BOUTON, OF PHILADELPHIA,PENNSYLVANIA.

ENVELOPE-FILLING MACHINE Refile for application Serial No. 62,285, filedOctober 13, 1925. This application filed February 14, 1927.

Serial No. 168,203. Renewed March 18, 1931.

This invention relates to envelope filling machines such as areordinarily employed for inserting circular letters or other mail matterinto envelopes. The primary object of my invention is the provision of amachine of the i type referred to which is adapted to accommodatevarious sized matter as well as being characterized by an hithertounknown output or capacity. m Another object is to provide a machinewhich is more eflicient in operation while capable of ready adjustmentfrom inserting individual letters to accommodating a plurality thereof.

A further object inhering to my improvements is the prevention offouling or choking successive envelopes due to irregularities in theirform; or, in the texture of the inserted matter.

Having the foregoing general objects in view, and others that willappear as the nature of my improvements are fully explained, thisinvention consists essentially in certain novel constructional features,the combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described,

typically illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and tersely definedby the appended claims.

While the form of my invention illustrated and explained in detailherein is believed, at

this time, to be a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be obvious thesame is susceptible of change and variation to meet differentrequirements; therefore, the right is reserved to modify suchdisclosure, as may be deemed desirable, without departing from the scopeof said invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

In the drawings:

Fi e Iis a side view of a machine embodying the present improvements,and capable of either manual or power operation.

Figure II-is a reverse view thereof, with parts broken away forconvenience in illustration.

Fi re III- is a sectional view, taken approximately as indicated by thearrowed lines III-III in Figure II.

Figure IVis a broken longitudinal section through the machine.

Figures VIX are detail views illustrating the consecutive steps involvedin filling successive envelopes with one or more folded pieces of mailmatter.

Figure Xis an enlarged detail view along the lines of Figure IX tobetter illustrate certain parts hereinafter fully explained.

Figure XIis a detail view of the means effective to feed a plurality. offolded matter into an individual envelope; and,

Figure XIIis a perspective view of the manner in which consecutiveenvelopes are slightly expanded to receive the folded matter.

Referring more in detail to the drawin c5 and in accordance with thisinvention, t e embodiment chosen for illustration, it will be noted,conveniently embodies a table 1, mounted on a plurality of legs 2, withprovision of a sub-platform or intermediate support 3 for an electricmotor 4, functional to drive the machine as hereinafter fully explained.

Mounted upon the table 1 aforesaid are vertically spaced wall members 5,which sup- 16 port the mail matter container or containers 6, as well asthe envelope reservoir or magazine 7. Each container 6, it will be seen,comprises opposed side walls 8, which are relatively movable by means ofthumb screws 9 along a horizontal adjustable bar 10, and a front wall orstationary deflector 11, having vertical strips 12. The front wall 11 isforwardly inclined or disposed somewhat tangential relative to anintermittently actuable s5 feed roller 13, while each container 6 isprovided with a deflector plate or bottom 14, adapted to be lockedmedially of the aforesaid container on the horizontal bar 10, throughthe medium of a clamping screw 15; as will be well understood by thoseconversant with the art to which this invention appertains.

Each of the feed rollers 13 is provided at one side of the machineFigure1-with a bevel gear 16, adapted for intermittent rotation by means of anassociated mutilate or dwell spaced gear 17 on a horizontal shaft 18journalled in bearings 19. This shaft 18 is arranged for rotation,through the medium 1 of a bevel couple 20, at the upper end of avertical shaft 21, journaled in bearings 22, and receiving motion by wayof a second bevel couple 23 and transverse shaft 24 co-ordinated with adrive-shaft 25 through speed reduction gears 26. Power is imparted tothe shaft25 from the motor 4, through the instrumentality of a beltdrive 27, and band pulley 28, that is conveniently provided with a handgrasp 29, whereby the machine may be manually operated, if desired. Thusit will be readily seen that the entire set of feed rollers 13 areco-ordinated for intermittent rotation with respect to one another sothat mail matter may be successively removed therefrom in pro-orderedsequence.

Similarly the envelope reservoir 7 is laterally adjustable toaccommodate different sizes and widths of envelopes, while it isprovided with a stationary deflector 30, and an adjustable deflector 31under control of a clamping screw 32, as before described in connectionwith the mail containers 6. The reservoir 7 is also provided with anassociated 25 feed 33, adapted for intermittent rotation through themedium of a bevel and mutilated or dwell spaced gears 34, 35respectively, coordinated with the hereinbefore referred to horizontalshaft 18, by means of a bevel couple 36; in a manner perfectly obviouswithout further explanation.

Immediately in advance of the envelope feed roll 33 is a stationarilysupported inclined guide plate 37, closely contiguous with a freelyjournaled roller 38, over which the consecutively withdrawn envelopes 6pass, and are tripped from oblique into vertical position for entrybetween pull-out rollers 39, 40; as later on fully explained. Thepullout roller 39 is provided at one end with a spur gear -41FigureII-in mesh with an idler 42 in turn cooperating with a similar gear 43,driven through the medium of a second idler 44, from the larger of thereduction gears 26, hereinbefore described; and as clearlyshown-convention ally-by the figure referred to. On the other hand, thepull-out roller 40 is freely journaled in the wall members 5, forfrictional drive by the roller 39.

Associated with the pull-out roller 39 is an envelope flap opener 45,conveniently consisting of a springy metal plate having a curved toeportion 46, and suitably clamped, by bolts 47, to a transverse bar 48,intermediate the wall members 5.

Subjacent the leading mail matter feed roller 13, and the pull-outroller 39, is a second pair of pull-out rolls 49, 50, the former ofwhich is freely journaled and the latter power driven through the mediumof the spur gear- 43, above referred to; and which is secured on theshaft thereof after conventional practice. (lo-operative with thepull-out rolls 49, 50, I provide a pendant deflector plate 51 supported,by pintles or a transverse rod 52,

intermediate the wall members 5 and under the action of an appropriatespring 53. This deflector plate 51 is formed with a projecting tongue 54which closely approaches the upper pull-out roll 49, and is functionalto initially deflect the entering mail matter msuch as a letter orcircularinto the envelope 6, as later on explained.

Associated with the mechanism just described is a time controlledrockable envelope-receiving member 55, conveniently consisting of a flatplate having an integral or removable lateral rib piece or backbone 56,the purpose of which will be later on set forth. This member 55 isfulcrumed at 57, and provided with a projecting arm 58 having a roller59 at its free end cooperative with a cam 60 on the transverse shaft 24;and said member 55 is vertically slotted at one or more points toaccommodate a reciprocable envelope receiver 61. This envelope receiverand tripper 61 is supported by a transverse bar 62, while it isco-ordinated by a cranked lever 63, pivoted at 64, for intermittentreciprocation by means of a cam 65 on the shaft 24, as will be readilyunderstood by anyone conversant with such mechanism.

In special relation with respect to the rock able member 55, is astationary plate 66, against which the enevelope e is held by saidrockable member, during insertion of the mailmatter m, as best shown inFigure X.

Means consisting of an endless conveyor 67 is associated with the mailcontainers 6, as shown by Figures IV and XI, in combination withindividual pull-out rolls 68, 69, as well as gravity influenced pinchrolls 70 said pull-out rolls being coordinated by a chain and sprocketdrive 71, 72, respectively, with the spur gear 43, aforesaid, and asclearly indicated on Figure II.

In conjunction with the several mechanisms, above described, I provide apulsator 73, operable by a cam 74, on the sba ft 24: said ulsator havinga suitable outlet conduit or jet pipe 75, trained to a position mediallyof the side wings 'w,,wFigure XII-of each successive envelope (3. andadapted to emit a pull of air to expand said envelope into mailreceiving position, as best appreciated from Figure X.

76 is a sub-platform or stacker for the filled envelopes e, and it isconveniently secured by screws 77 to a cross-bar 78, supportedtransversely between the spaced wall members 5,

hereinbefore referred to.

Having outlined the various elements and mechanisms, involved in mynovel envelope filling machine, I will now proceed to a detailedexplanation of their (o-operative relation; as well as setting forth themanner of iinserting one or more pieces of folded mail matter on. intothe consecutive envelopes (a reference being had for this purpose more)articularly to Figures V-X, inclusive.

Assuming the reservoir or magazine 7 has been replenished with envelo se, and one or all of the containers 6 supphed with folded mail matter m;when the machine is set in operation, it will be best seen from Figure Vthat consecutive envelopes e are intermittently withdrawn from thereservoir 7, by the feed roller 33 into the guide plate 37, and passingover the free roller 38 are brought mto abutment with the curved too 46of the flap opener 45. This abutment of the leadingor bottom edge of theenvelopes e with the curved toe 46 eflects deflection of said envelopeedge between the pull-out rollers 39, 40, as shown by Figure VI. Theroller 39, revolving to the right, feeds the envelope e downwards untilthe flap f thereof impinges on the aforesaid toe 46, as evidenced inFigure VII, and concurrently therewith the leading edge is moved intoposition on the backbone 56, of the receiving member 55, continuedrotation of rollers 39, 40, advances the envelope e from the positionjust described to that illustrated in Figure VIII, with simultaneouspart withdrawal of a piece of folded mail matter m from the leadingcontainer 6, by the associated feed roller 13; or, into position forentry between the pullout rollers 49, 50. Immediately following themovements just set forth, the envelope receiving member 55 is rocked tothe left-hand as viewed in the drawings; or, into juxtaposed relationwith respect to the stationary plate 66, whereupon the leading edge ofthe envelope 6 rests upon the reciprocable support 61, which has beenconcurrently moved forward through the medium of the cam 60, ashereinbefore set forth; or as will be fully understood from therespective showings in Figures VIII and IX. Particular attention isdirected to the fact, at this juncture, that the envelope e, as will bebest seen from Figure X, is supported between the member 55 and plate66, with the flap f abutting-or held back bythe spring mfluenceddeflector plate 51, which tends to slightly expand the envelope body, asclearly illustrated in the figure just referred to. Simultaneous withthe arrival of the envelope 6 at the location just described the foldedpiece of mail matter m is moved, by the pull-out rollers 49, 50, intoenvelope entering position, being deflected thereto by the tongue 54,and simultaneous emission of a ufi' of air through the conduit or jetpipe 75, brought about through actuation of the pulsator 73, by theassociated cam 74. Immediately following the full insertion of the mailmatter m into the envelope e, the reciprocable sup ort 61 is tripped bythe mechanism herein efore described, whereupon the consecutively filledenvelopes drop onto the sub-platform 76, as shown in Figure IV, wherethey stack ready periodic removal.

From the foregoing it is thought that the filling of envelopes e, withmore than one folded piece of mail matter m thro' h the medium of theconveyor 67, associate out rolls 68, 69, and pinch rolls 70, wi be fullppreclated without further detailed exp anation herein. v

Attention is directed to the fact that the backbone 56 may be dispensedwith, as it is mainly useful when handling envelopes of a flexiblecharacter, while I find the use of an air blast, while advantageous, isnot absolutely esential, as the deflector plate 51 effacts the necessarydegree of envelope openmg.

Obviously, the matters of combination, arrangement, structure, designand detail, ma be modified without de arting from the un erlyingprinciples of this invention, it should, therefore, be clearlyunderstood that said invention i not restricted to the specific featurestypifie b the drawings other than insofar as specifie why the appendedclaims. It should, furthermore, be understood that the language used inthe following claims is intended to cover all of the generic aspects ofthe invention hereinbefore set forth, and all statements of thescope ofsuch invention which, as a matter of language, might be construed asfalling within their fair and reasonable limits.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is f 1. In amachine for filling envelopes, thecombination of an adjustable magazine for envelopes, a similar containerfor folded mail matter, pull-out rolls for withdrawing individualenvelopes and folded mail matter, flap opening means, pull-out rollersprogressing the withdrawn envelope and folded mail matter into fillingposition, a pendant deflector co-operative with the envelope flap toopen the envelope body, reciprocatory means supporting the envelopebetweenrelatively movable members duri the filling operation, andco-operative r0 ls for "advancing the folded mail matter into theenvelope.

2. In a machine for filling envelopes, the combination of an adjustablemagazine for the envelopes, a similar container for folded mail matter,pull-out rolls withdrawing individual envelopes and folded matter, astationary flap opener, progressing rollers forthe successivelywithdrawn folded matter and envelopes, a spring influenced deflectorco-operative with the envelope flap, an intermittently reciprocablesupport for the envelope during the filling operation, an associatedrockable member, co-operative with the spring influenced deflectoraforesaid to effect slight opening of the envelope body, and means foradvancing the folded matter into the opened envelope.

3. In a machine for filling envelopes, the combination of an adjustablemagazine for all-v.

' dividual enve opes and folded matter, a Stationary flap opener,progressing rollers for i the successively withdrawn folded'matter andenvelopes, a spring influenced deflector cooperative with the envelopeflap, an intermittently reciprocable support for the envelope during thefilling operation, an associated rockable memberhaving a lateralrib-cooperative with the spring influenced deflector aforesaid toeflectslight opening of the envelope body, and means for advancingthefolded matter into the opened envelope.

4. In a machine of the type described, the combination of a machine forenvelopes embodying fixed and adjustable deflector, a

similar container for folded mail matter,

means for withdrawing individual envelopes and folded matter, a flapopener, a spring influenced flap deflector, an associated rockablemember functional in co-operation with theflap deflector to slightlyopen the envelope, means for supportlng the envelope during filling andreciprocatory to release the same after filling, all co-ordinated forcooperative action in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

5. In a machine of the type described, the combination of a magazine forenvelopes em bodying fixed and movable deflectors, a succession ofsimilar containers for mail matters, co-ordinated means functional towithdraw individual envelopes and pieces of mail matter from the severalcontainers in sequence, a flap opener, a spring influenced flapdeflector, rockable means functional in co-operation with the flapdeflector to slightly open the envelope, means supporting the envelopeduring filling and adapted to release the same when filled, and meansfor advancing a succession of pieces of mail matter with the individualenvelopes.

6. In an envelope filling machine of the type described, an envelopereceiving and supporting plate, and means for rocking the same fromenvelope receiving into envelope filling location, said plate having alateral rib, for the purpose of rearwardly deflecting the enteringportion of the envelope specified.

7. In an envelope filling machine of the type described, an envelopereceiving and supporting rockable plate having a lateral rib, aprojecting arm, and a cam device cooperative with said arm tointermittently rock the plate, for the purposes specified.

8. In an envelope filling machine of the type described, a pendantdeflector and envelope-flap engaging member, in combination with areceiving and supporting member fulcrumed at its lower edge, and meansfor vertically rocking said latter member.

9. In an envelope filling machine of the type described, aspringinfluenced deflector and envelope-flap engaging member, in comsupportingmember fulcrumed at its lower edge, said deflector and supportin membersco-operating so that the envelope a5) crease is subjacent the lower edgeof the eflector member to thereby force the envelope open sufiicient toreceive mail matter.

10. In an envelope filling machine of the t pe described, a springinfluenced pendant eflector with an assoclated friction roller,

in combination with a vertically rockable envelope receiving member,said friction roller functioning, to feed folded mail matter and foradvancing the same into the envelope.

11. In an envelopefilling machine of the t pe described, a springinfluenced pendant eflector member, in combination with a verticallyrockable envelope supporting member having a lateral rib, said memberscooperating to deflect anenvelope flap rearwardly relative to itsbodyportion just above the connecting crease.

12. In an envelope filling machine of the type described, meansfor-feeding consecutive envelopes on to a vertically rockable receivingplate, envelope supporting fingers cooperating with said plate, cammechanism functional to intermittently reciprocate said fingers torelease successively filled envelopes, a pendant deflector plate, and astationary plate in spacial relation to the rockable plate functional tomaintain the envelope slightly open by pressure of the deflector plateagainst the envelope flap.

13. In a machine of the character described, the combination of envelopeand enclosure magazines, means for feeding envelopes and enclosuresrespectively therefrom, a flap opener, a deflector plate and a platecooperating with the deflector plate to clamp the envelope flaptherebetween and having means thereon to distend the mouth of theenvelope to receive its enclosure, and means for feeding enclosures intothe said envelopes.

14. In a machine of the type described, the combination of envelope andenclosure magazines, means for feeding envelopes and en'- closuresrespectively from said magazines, a movable envelope receiving andsupporting plate having a lateral rib thereon, means for moving saidplate from envelope receiving to envelope filling position, means forfeeding envelopes to said plate, means operable when the plate reachesenvelope filling position to distendthe mouth of the envelope, and meansfor feeding enclosures into said envelopes.

15. In a. machine of the type described, the combination of an envelopemagazine, enclosure magazines, means for feeding envelopes andenclosures from said magazines, a pair of rolls adjacent said envelopemagazines between which the envelope is adapted to pass, and means foropening the flap of the envelope, whereby the flap straddles one of saidIII rolls and is flattened by continued movement between the rolls.

16. In a machine of the type described, the combination of an envelopemagazine, enclosure magazines, means for feeding envelopes andenclosures therefrom, a deflector plate, an envelope supporting platefulcrumed at its lower edge and arranged to swing vertically forclamping the flap of the envelope against one side of said plate, andmeans for directing an enclosure against the opposite side of said platewhereby the enclosure is flexed into vertical position, and means forfeeding the enclosure into said envelope.

17. In a machine of the type described, the combination of an envelopemagazine and enclosure magazines, means for feeding envelopes andenclosures from said magazine and flexing them to vertical position, areciprocating stop against which the envelope is fed, means fordistending the mouth of the envelope when on said stop, means forinserting an enclosure into said envelope, and means for reciprocatingsaid stop into and out of the path of travel of the envelope.

18. In a machine of the character described, the combination of anenvelope and enclosure magazines, means for feeding envelopes andenclosures respectively therefrom, a flap opener, a pendent resilientlymounted deflector plate, and an envelope supporting plate cooperatingwith the deflector plate fulcrumed at its lower edge and arranged toswing vertically to clamp the envelope flap therebetween and havingmeans thereon to distend the mouth of the envelope to receive itsenclosure, and means for feeding enclosures into said envelope.

19. In an envelope filling machine of the type described, an envelopereceiving and supporting plate fulcrumed at its lower edge, means forrocking the plate vertically from envelope receiving into envelopefilling location, and a deflector located above the said plate when thelatter is in envelope filling position, the lower edge of the deflectorand the upper edge of the said plate being contiguous and the saiddeflector and plate being adapted to clamp the Hap of an envelopebetween them.

In testimony whercof I aflix my signature at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,the 5th day of February, 1927.

ELDRID L. BOUTON.

